UNDERSTANDING TAXES, SURCHARGES & FEES

UPDATED: November 2024

Acknowledgment of FCC Rule Changes

HomeWAV recognizes the updated FCC regulations under the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act.

• Elimination of Ancillary Fees

In compliance with the FCC’s mandate, we no longer charge processing or ancillary fees. Customers pay only the transparent, per-minute rates for audio and video communication.

• Alignment with FCC Rate Caps

We are preparing to implement the FCC’s new rate caps for communications, following the scheduled timeline for compliance in 2025-2026.

• Commitment to Accessibility and Affordability

Our services remain focused on affordability, accessibility, and regulatory compliance, ensuring incarcerated individuals and their families can stay connected without financial strain.

In addition to the monthly service charges billed for HomeWAV services, surcharges, taxes, fees, and other charges may be applied to your monthly invoice based on the type of service you have and your geographical location, among other factors. Certain taxes, fees, or surcharges may show up as separate line items on your invoice. Examples include but are not limited to the following.

Other Fees

A Cost Recovery Fee (“CRF”) equal to 2.8% of invoiced charges (excluding taxes) will apply to services subject to direct regulation by the FCC. This charge is imposed to recover costs incurred by HomeWAV for fees, contributions, and/or charges associated with telecommunications services for the sight and hearing impaired, and administrative costs, fees and expenditures related to compliance with the telecommunications relay services program, along with other carrier and administrative expenses (including, but not limited to, costs imposed upon HomeWAV by its suppliers).

This is a permissible fee but is not a tax or charge mandated by the government. For more information on programs supported by the CRF, please see below.

Federal Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund. The TRS Fund was established by the FCC in 1993 to reimburse TRS providers for the cost of providing interstate TRS services. TRS services are telephone transmission services that provide hearing or speech challenged individuals with the ability to use a traditional telephone.

Under the FCC’s rules, HomeWAV must contribute a percentage of its interstate and international end-user communications revenues to the TRS Fund. The contribution percentage varies annually.

Taxes and Surcharges

• State & Local Sales and Use Tax

All states, with limited exceptions, impose some form of state-level sales and use tax. The sales and use tax is generally imposed on the sale or use of tangible personal property and certain services. These taxes are intended to be passed on to the end-user/consumer.

In many states, local jurisdictions also impose a sales or use tax. In some instances, the local sales and use tax is administered by the local jurisdiction. In other instances, the state administers the local sales and use tax. Certain exemptions apply for sales for resale, and sales to certain types of entities (e.g., the federal government, state and local governments, non-profit entities, etc.).
HomeWAV collects sales and/or use taxes as required by state and/or local law.

• Communications Services Tax

Some state and local jurisdictions impose communications-specific taxes on communications services in addition to or in lieu of sales or use tax. The communications services tax is intended to be passed on to the end-user/consumer. The rates for communications services taxes are usually different than the sales and use tax rates and vary by jurisdiction.

Certain exemptions apply for sales for resale, and sales to certain types of entities (e.g., the federal government, state and local governments, non-profit entities, etc.).
HomeWAV collects communications services taxes as required by applicable state and/or local law.

• Gross Receipts Taxes

A number of states impose a gross receipts tax on communications service providers. In some states, gross receipts taxes are intended to be passed on to the end-user/consumer. In other states, the gross receipts tax is the responsibility of the seller, and there is no pass-through to the end-user.

Certain exemptions may exist for gross receipts taxes that are intended to be passed on to the customer, based on the type of entity making the purchase (e.g., the federal government, state and local governments, non-profit entities, etc.).

HomeWAV pays gross receipts taxes and collects them from customers when required (or permitted) by applicable state and/or local law.

• Local Utility Taxes

Local utility taxes are imposed by cities and counties in a select number of states. Certain exemptions apply for sales for resale, and sales to certain types of entities (e.g., the federal government, state and local governments, non-profit entities, etc.).

HomeWAV pays local utility taxes and collects them from customers when required (or permitted) by applicable state and/or local law.

• Local License Taxes

Local license taxes are imposed by cities and counties in a limited number of states. Certain exemptions apply for sales for resale, and sales to certain types of entities (e.g., the federal government, state and local governments, non-profit entities, etc.).

HomeWAV pays local license taxes and collects them from customers when required (or permitted) by applicable state and/or local law.